• What Is Freemasonry

Answer:-Freemasonry is the world’s largest secular, fraternal and charitable organisation. It teaches moral lessons and self-knowledge through participation in a progression of allegorical two-part plays.

• Is freemasonry a secret society

Answer:- We are not, but lodge meetings, like those of many other groups, are private and open only to members. The rules and aims of Freemasonry are available to the public. Meeting places are known and in many areas are used by the local community for activities other than Freemasonry. Members are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry.

• Is Freemasonry a religion

Answer:-

Emphatically not. Freemasonry requires a belief in a Supreme Being and its principles are common to many of the world’s great religions. Freemasonry does not try to replace religion or substitute for it. Every candidate is exhorted to practise his religion and to regard its holy book as the unerring standard of truth. Freemasonry does not

instruct its members in what their religious beliefs should be, nor does it offer sacraments. Freemasonry deals in relations between men; religion deals in a man’s relationship with his God.

We held a 2nd Degree for Bro Hooker.,

Traditional History and Secrets were explained by wor Brother Saunders, Brother Hooker was then invested with an Apron by the Senior Warden, and the South East Charge was carried out. The worshipful Master carried out the Charge after Passing.

we then held a  memorial Lecture/Service was carried out by Wor Brother Saunders for Wor Brother Norm Henry and Brother Frank Edge.

On Tuesday 17th June  Bro Cameron Ness was passed to the sublime degree of a master mason.

The night was a great success and all that took part enjoyed the evening.

Afterwards we all had some food and drinks and the obligatory toasts were given and received.

Congratulations Bro Ness

On Tuesday 18th March 2014 the lodge carried out a second degree for

Bro Cameron Ness.

The ceremony was expertly carried out by all parties,

our sincere thanks go out to bro Hill for standing in for Bro Dematera

Bro David Kirkpatrick expertly gave 2 charges.

Afterwards we all met downstairs for the Festive Board where the usual festivities were carried out.

Our ladies and friends met downstairs at 6:30 PM and wine, tea and coffee was available while the meeting took place upstairs.

After the meeting the haggis was paraded around the hall for all to see, led by the Piper Bro Robin Livingstone.

We all then proceeded to have a piece each of the Haggis which was absolutely fantastic.

For those who do not know:-

A haggis is a concoction that is made up of a sheep’s heart, liver and lungs all of which are minced together and mixed with onion, oatmeal, some raw mutton fat, salt and spice. Now if that hasn’t put you off for life and determined to become a vegetarian, and you’d like to read on, then you might be pleased to hear that these days this is no longer stuffed into an animal’s stomach; it’s instead stuffed into a typical sausage casing.

The address to the Haggis was superbly given by Brother David Kirkpatrick.

Below is the address with English Translation.

We then were treated to 3 violin pieces by Bro Kirkpatrick’s daughters and friends.

Bro Kirkpatrick then expertly recited the Scottish Poem: ”A Man’s a Man’

The dinner was a beautiful Buffet with 2 choices of meat which was then followed by the raffle and as always fantastically done by Bro Ted Harper.

The festivities were concluded when Bro Ted gave the Tyler’s Toast.

The night was a great success and well done to all who helped in making yet another Burns night at Lodge Tarringa a memorable one.

We  have a fantastic year ahead of us with no less than 4 possible new candidates.

We look forward to welcoming all the new candidates to our lodge and are looking forward to a busy year.

The first post of the rank this year is of Brother Ted Harper cutting up a full pig for the Indooroopilly Lodge “Pig on a Spit” meeting they held late 2013.

You will note “Will” one of our new affiliates from that lodge taking the picture.

Also Brother Gaston’s wife sitting watching.

The work for the next meeting will be as follows:-

Lodge Taringa January Meeting Festive Board

“Wives & Friends Social Night (Burns flavour)”

Over the past few months quite a lot has happened and I will endeavour to catch up on a few.

Firstly Wbro Nicholson and his lovely wife Sylvia celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary, this is a fantastic achievement and we all hope they had a lovely time at their party.August 2013

The investitures of the Deacons.  Bro A Hacker  and  WBro J Nesbitt were invested by WBro R McGrath.

Wor Bro R McGrath presented the Life Governor’s charity jewel to Bro A Hacker.

WBro D Gifford presented a WM’s certificate to WBro R McGrath to replace the original which was lost in a flood.

WBro D Gifford presented a Master Mason certificate to Bro D Kirkpatrick and Affiliation certificates to WBro A Roussos & Bro D Dematera.

September 2013

In Septembers Meeting the Lodge held a ballot for Mr Cameron Ness  which proved all Clear and then Initiated into lodge Taringa, The night was a great success with some lovely charges being given, the badge charge given by Bro D
Kirkpatrick.  The NE charge was given by
WBro R McGrath, and  WBro J Gaston gave the charge after initiation.

October 2013

Ballot

A combined Ballot was held for proposed affiliates Bros Warren Howe, Matthew Shyhun and Gavin Rowe; it proved clear.

Bro Matthew Shyhun, being present, was affiliated into Lodge Taringa by the WM.

Bro C Ness received a lecture on the 1^st Tracing Board from the WM.

November 2013

Work for this meeting will be an Affiliation, examination & 3^rd degree for Bro Gavin Rowe.

Lodge Taringa installed Wor Bro Dr Donald Gifford as Worshipful Master on Saturday 27th July 2013.

Worshipful Master Don Gifford with our senior warden Bro Martinez

The festive board was decorated wonderfully by Members of the lodge.

Address to the Haggis expertly recited as always by Wor Bro Bill Wallace

All Brethren and families had a fantastic evening.

Wor Bro Col Saunders Presented with the DC Jewel by Right worshipful Deputy Grand Master Alan Townson

Wor Bro Ian Nicholson Presented with Secretary Jewel from the Right worshipful Deputy Grand Master Alan Townson

Wor Bro Roussos

The List of officers for this year are as follows:-

Worshipful Master – WBro Donald Gifford

Imediate Past Master – WBro Robert McGrath

Senior Warden – Bro Tony Martinez

Junior Warden – Bro Darren Kelsall

Senior Deacon – Bro Alan Hacker

Junior Deacon – WBro John Nesbitt

Inner Guard – Bro Domingo Dematera

Steward – Bro David Kirkpatrick

Chaplin – RWBro John Ferguson

Treasurer – Bro Ted Harper

Secretary – WBro Ian Nicholson

There was also a second degree tracing board which was expertly delivered to Bro
David Kirkpatrick by WBro Col Saunders.

WM Bob McGrath of Lodge Taringa. With Newly Affiliated Brother Bro Domingo Dematera.